Designing a themed garden is a fun and innovative way to make your gardening experience more engaging. Not only do themed gardens help you focus on a specific goal, but they also yield ingredients for your favorite meals and drinks. Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast, a gardener with a sense of humor, or just looking to try something new, themed gardens can transform your outdoor space into an edible paradise.
Designing Your Themed Garden
Space and Layout
Choose an area with ample sunlight (most food plants require at least 6 hours of sunlight) and create raised beds, container gardens, or even hanging planters based on your space.
Companion Planting
Many of the plants mentioned grow well together. For example, tomatoes, basil, and onions can share a garden bed, providing mutual benefits like pest control and improved growth.
Seasonality
Some plants are cool-season crops (lettuce, cilantro), while others thrive in the summer heat (tomatoes, peppers). Consider staggering your planting for a continuous harvest.
Taco Garden
If you love tacos, imagine stepping out into your garden to pick fresh ingredients to build your favorite taco. A taco garden brings Mexican flavors to life by growing the key ingredients for salsa, fillings, and toppings.
What to plant:
- Tomatoes: For fresh salsa or pico de gallo. Opt for varieties like Roma or cherry tomatoes, which are great for sauces.
- Cilantro: A classic herb used for garnishing tacos or mixing into salsa.
- Peppers: Jalapeños, bell peppers, or even spicy habaneros to add some heat.
- Lettuce: Grow varieties like romaine or butterhead for taco fillings.
- Onions: White or red onions are staples in tacos, particularly for salsa and toppings.
- Garlic: Essential for flavoring meats and salsa.
Bonus Idea: tomatillo plants if your climate allows, to make green salsa!
Pizza Garden
A pizza garden will allow you to harvest fresh ingredients for homemade pizzas, giving you a taste of Italy straight from your backyard. This garden focuses on flavorful herbs and vegetables that enhance the taste of pizza.
What to plant:
- Tomatoes: Opt for varieties like San Marzano or cherry tomatoes to make fresh pizza sauce.
- Basil: A must-have herb for pizzas, especially if you’re making a classic Margherita.
- Oregano: Another key herb that pairs well with tomato-based sauces.
- Bell Peppers: For a variety of pizza toppings.
- Spinach: Adds a healthy, earthy element to your pizzas.
- Onions and Garlic: For flavoring sauces and toppings.
- Arugula: Perfect as a topping to add a peppery kick to pizzas.
Salad Garden
A salad garden ensures that you always have fresh, healthy greens and veggies on hand for a nutritious meal. The beauty of a salad garden is its versatility, as you can grow a variety of leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables.
What to plant:
- Lettuce: Varieties like romaine, butterhead, and loose-leaf provide different textures and flavors.
- Arugula: Peppery and adds a gourmet touch to your salads.
- Spinach: A healthy, versatile green that can be used raw or cooked.
- Radishes: Perfect for adding a crunchy, spicy bite.
- Carrots: Sweet and colorful additions to any salad.
- Cucumbers: Crisp and hydrating, they are perfect for summer salads.
- Herbs: Dill, parsley, and chives all enhance salad flavors.
Bonus Idea: Add edible flowers like nasturtiums or pansies
Salsa Garden
A salsa garden is perfect for those who love making fresh, homemade salsas, whether it’s a classic red salsa or a fiery green version. The ingredients for a salsa garden are simple and highly productive.
What to plant:
- Tomatoes: A must-have for any salsa garden. Roma and plum tomatoes are ideal for making salsa.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to your salsa.
- Peppers: Jalapeños for a mild kick or habaneros for those who prefer more heat.
- Onions: White onions are commonly used in salsa, but red onions can add a sweet crunch.
- Garlic: Essential for flavoring salsa.
- Tomatillos: Grow these for a tangy, green salsa verde.
Bonus Idea: Add lime trees if you live in a warm climate, or grow lemongrass as a substitute for a hint of citrus flavor.
Mixed Drink Garden
Why not create a garden dedicated to crafting your favorite cocktails? A mixed drink garden focuses on herbs and fruits that can be infused into drinks, making it easy to craft garden-to-glass cocktails.
What to plant:
- Mint: Essential for mojitos and mint juleps.
- Basil: Great for muddling into cocktails like basil gimlets.
- Lavender: Infuse syrups or make lavender lemonade.
- Cucumbers: Perfect for refreshing summer cocktails like gin and tonic or cucumber mojitos.
- Strawberries: Use in drinks like strawberry daiquiris or to garnish any fruity cocktail.
Bonus Idea: Add thyme or rosemary to make savory cocktail infusions.
Herb Garden
While not tied to a specific dish, an herb garden is a versatile theme that can enhance various meals and beverages. It’s an excellent choice for those who love to cook with fresh, aromatic herbs.
What to plant:
- Basil: Perfect for pasta dishes, pizzas, and even desserts.
- Thyme: Great for soups, roasted vegetables, and chicken dishes.
- Rosemary: Use it for meats, potatoes, or cocktails.
- Cilantro: Essential for tacos, salads, and Indian dishes.
- Parsley: A versatile herb that pairs with almost everything.
Bonus Idea: Add a lemongrass plant for use in teas, Asian dishes, or infusions.
We would love to see your garden growing, use #mywilcolife on Facebook, X, or Instagram and tag Wilco Stores.
